How to Build a Ballet Dance Floor
Proper ballet flooring is crucial to ballet dancers because it allows them to perform their intricate movements with minimal risk of injury. Marley is the standard material used for ballet dance floors because it is durable, slip-resistant and provides the optimal level of tread to increase the amount of traction for users.
What you will need:
- Several rolls of Marley flooring material
- 2 x 4 planks of laminate or hardwood
- 25-ft measuring tape or yardstick
- Floor marking tape
- Tool kit (Phillips screwdriver, hammer, utility knife, etc.)
- Demarcating chalk
- Cement (optional)
- Measure and clear the flooring area. Ballet dance floors must be constructed on an area that allows a minimum of 10 cm of depth. This is necessary because the "floating floor," or, "sprung floor," technique used to support ballet dancers requires a small amount of air between the top level of flooring and the foundation. Use the measuring tape to ensure that the floor depth meets the minimum requirements and clear the area of any loose nails, screws or staples using your tools. If there are holes or other uneven spaces along the expanse of the desired area you may want to add a layer of cement to create a better foundation for your dance floor. Marley flooring is sold in rolls that are 5 feet x 3 inches so after carefully measuring the floor you can purchase the Marley material based on the measurements that you have taken.
- Install the 2 x 4's. Using the chalk and measuring tape, mark the lines where the 2 x 4 planks of wood or laminate will be installed. These planks should have no space between them and should cover the entire dancing area, providing the foundation for the top layer of Marley material. Install the planks with the hammer and screwdriver, ensuring that all planks lie vertically in the same direction.
- Cover the floor with the Marley material. Allow the planks to settle for at least 72 hours so that any gaps or wrinkles can be addressed before the Marley material is installed. Employ the chalk and measuring tape again as you demarcate the lines where the Marley will be placed. Lay the material carefully over the wooden planks, taking care to face the Marley in the same direction as the planks. Secure the Marley into place with the hammer and nails and finish off any rough edges with the utility knife. Allow at least 1 week for floor settling before use.